Community Engagement Grant Season is Here |
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It’s almost spring, and that means the Presbytery is once again funding community engagement projects for our churches! This year, the Commission on Reconciliation has shared important dates to be aware of: |
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April 18 - Mandatory Orientation Session. All potential awardees must be in attendance to learn the rules. All applications must be submitted through the electronic portal. Members of Presbytery will help any group with submitting the application.
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May 8 - Applications are due.
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June 26 - Awards announced.
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July 12 - Orientation for awardees.
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Faith Presbyterian Church was awarded an abovementioned community engagement grant to build a story walk on their property last year, and they want to help another church do the same! The idea came out of the concern about pandemic related learning loss - how could they promote literacy, share their love of reading with their neighbors, and make use of the great outdoor space on the property?
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A Story walk allows kids and their grown-ups to take a stroll to read a book - page by page posted on kiosks installed on the property. Books change monthly according to seasonal themes. March features “Out of Wonder,” by Kwame Alexander, a collection of original poems for children written in the style of some of the world’s most famous poets.
Faith would love to share the plans for the kiosks (built and installed by church members, based on a design from the Ivy Bookshop), and their book layouts. If you have good outdoor space around your church and want to connect with your neighborhood in a new way, let them know! Please contact Karen Meyers, karencmeyers@gmail.com, to learn more
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This Week: Call to Action Days for Cuba |
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Cuba is facing one of the worst economic crises in its history. The Cuban people are facing shortages of clean water, medicine, and medical equipment, and the price of food has skyrocketed. At the same time, it is nearly impossible for U.S. humanitarian and faith organizations to provide aid to the Cuban people. The main obstacle is the fact that Cuba is on the State Department’s “State Sponsors of Terrorism List.” Because banks fear running afoul of U.S. anti-terrorism laws and regulations, it can take years for groups to get much-needed aid and finances into the country. For many Cubans, the situation has now become so unbearable they are selling all they own and risking their lives to migrate to the US. Almost 300,00 Cubans have migrated – our policy is one of the root causes of that migration
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Grants Available for Youth-Led Community Building Projects |
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Youth (23 years and younger) are invited to apply for funds to support their community organizing ideas. Youth grants seekers are required to attend one of the two workshops at Enoch Pratt Central Library, Creative Arts Room (400 Cathedral St.)
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Saturday, March 18, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
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Thursday, March 23, 5 – 7 pm
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Even More Funds for the Young |
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This would be a good time to remind churches that the Spiritual Leader Development Commission's Youth Scholarships we mentioned in the last Tidings are still available. They seek to re-allocate unspent Triennium funds to churches who are looking to provide more opportunities for youth ministry and programming. Visit our website for more info and application.
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Thanking Northminster Presbyterian Church |
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At last week’s Stated Meeting, and at the request of the church, the Presbytery of Baltimore voted to close Northminster Presbyterian after 60+ years of faithful ministry. We gave thanks for their time with us, and celebrated their milestones with this retrospective slide show.
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Last Thursday, we also honored the lives lost in 2022: |
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Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church
Ellen Carter Cooper
Donald P. McPherson, III
Central Presbyterian Church
Scott Corey
Don Gatewood
Mark Harp
Bob Huber
Suzanne Swift
Christ Our King Presbyterian Church
Bill Cyr
Howard Dail
John Stewart
Churchville Presbyterian Church
Patricia Hathaway
Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church
Alfreda Gill
First Presbyterian Church of Howard County
Vivian Corbett "Millie" Bailey
Doris Ann Rocha
Franklinville Presbyterian Church
Jean Reider
Frederick Presbyterian Church
Robert "Bob" Wales
Govans Presbyterian Church
Thomas Eastman
Lyndell Smith
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Granite Presbyterian Church
George "Jim" Farmer
Jim Higgs
Rubye Kosko
Grove Presbyterian Church
Elizabeth Cameron
Cliff Giles
Havre de Grace Presbyterian Church
Sandra Matthews
Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church
Andrew Paige
Elaine McDowell
Maryland Presbyterian Church
Bruce Layton
Mt. Hebron Presbyterian Church
James Hawes
Roland Park Presbyterian Church
Mary Ellen Thomsen
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
Jean Harr
Ken Howser
Bill Reedy
Paul Swartz
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
Craig Meraklis
Rose Ann Parenteau
Pastors
Rev. Johannis Mol
Rev. Marie Sheldon
Rev. Ted Durr
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Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church proudly presents
"Jesus Christ Superstar"
Friday Mar 24 - Sunday Apr 2, 2023
Jesus Christ Superstar is a sung-through rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Cost is $15.00 per person. Seats are limited. Ticket reservations can be done through the church. The doors will open at 7pm. All shows are 7:30 pm - 10 pm, and include Friday Mar 24, Saturday Mar 25, Sunday Mar 26, Friday Mar 31 & Saturday Apr 1. (611 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Severna Park, MD 21146) Questions? Contact dmerrill@woodschurch.org or call 410-647-2550.
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Thursday, March 16 – Elder Training Mastermind Group at 7 pm. The topic for this month's session is "Building Team Trust and Group Dynamics " with Shannon Weston. This is an opportunity for any elder or Deacon (whether currently serving or not) to discuss best practices, challenges, and ideas. More information
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Sunday, March 19 - Dino O’Dell Teacher Training & Family Concert at FIrst Presbyterian Church of Westminster. Training 2-4 pm, Concert 4:30-5:15 pm
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Sunday, March 19 - The Ken & Brad Kolodner Quartet, presented by The Spire Series at 2:30pm at First & Franklin Presbyterian Church. Tickets: $20 adult, $10 student Visit event page, 410 728 5545 or information@firstfranklin.org
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Monday, March 20 - In The Loop Ministry Group's B’More Human Presentation: "Women of Color in S.T.E.M." More information and registration can be found on the Presbytery's website.
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Dismantling Racism Training - Tuesday, March 21 The training is for Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders required under Presbytery policy and open to other ordained and non-ordained leaders in their local congregations and Presbytery committee/commission members. More information
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Tuesday April 25-27 – Ecumenical Advocacy Days: Join online for the virtual conference, Swords into Plowshares: Achieving Enough for all and Pursuing Peace. The events seek to worship, educate, and advocate for the innovative and courageous policies needed to realize God’s promise. Register here. (Scholarships available)
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Thursday, April 27 – Legal Workshop: Baltimore Presbytery is hosting its second legal seminar for pastors and administrators, with attorney’s from Gallagher, Evelius and Jones, from 10 am -12 pm. Location TBA. Topics to be considered include: Child Protection policies and issues, insurance and liability including renters, and employment and personnel issues. More info and registration
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May 4-5 - THRIVE Seminars: The Board of Pensions Education team is pleased to announce that they have scheduled 7 THRIVE seminars (thinking retirement: identity vocation and economics) in 2023 around the nation. The first and closest is in Pittsburgh and the registration is now live. More information
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Wednesday, May 10 - Clergy Finding Resilience in Unimaginable Times featuring Dr. Robert Wicks, from 9:30 am to 2 pm at Grace United Methodist Church, 5407 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210. Visit the program website and registration form. Baltimore’s SLD Commission sent a donation to this event so the cost for clergy in the Baltimore Presbytery is covered! Feel free to call Nancy Getter at (443-977-0712) or email with any questions.
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